E.T. the Extra Terrestrial celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, an event that came with the usual fanfare: a Blu-ray re-release (without the controversial 2002 shotgun removals and computer animation), interviews, and behind the scenes footage. In this video, Henry Thomas (who played Elliott) had finished his not-so-great audition when director Steven Spielberg asked him to improvise a scene. Having nothing to lose, he went for broke. According to a 1991 TV Guide interview, he summoned tears by thinking of the family's deceased dog. The result is nothing short of magical.

About the improvisation, Spielberg said: "[It] was so heartfelt and honest that I gave him the part right there... I was blown away by this nine-year-old. Then I came to realize he’s an adult actor, not a nine-year-old. He’s a very controlled, methodical performer who measures what he does and feels what he does and yet broadcasts it in a totally subtle way. His performance is so controlled, unlike most kid performers, who seem to be giving you 150 percent on every shot. Henry’s performance is just a bread crumb at a time, but he takes you in a wonderful direction to a very, very rousing catharsis. He’s just a 'once in a lifetime' kid."